Ashoka Chakra for astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla; Kirti Chakra for IAF’s Prashanth Nair

New Delhi: Indian Air Force Group Captains Shubhanshu Shukla and Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair are among the recipients of gallantry awards approved on the eve of the 77th Republic Day, recognising exceptional courage and service during peacetime operations.

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, an astronaut who created history by becoming the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS), has been awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry honour. He became the second Indian to travel to space in June last year and the first to set foot on the ISS as part of the Axiom-4 mission. His 18-day mission came 41 years after Rakesh Sharma’s spaceflight aboard a Soviet Soyuz in 1984.

A decorated fighter pilot, Shukla has logged more than 2,000 hours of flying experience across a wide range of aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier and An-32.

Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair has been awarded the Kirti Chakra, India’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award. He is among three personnel to receive the honour this year, along with Major Arshdeep Singh and Naib Subedar Doleshwar Subba.

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As a fighter pilot, Shukla has an impressive record of 2,000 hours of flight experience across various aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier and An-32.

On the eve of the Republic Day, President Droupadi Murmu approved gallantry awards to 70 armed forces personnel, including six who would receive the honour posthumously.

These include one Ashoka Chakra, three Kirti Chakra, 13 Shaurya Chakra, including one posthumous, one Bar to Sena Medal (gallantry) and 44 Sena Medals (gallantry).

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The other Kirti Chakra award winners are Major Arshdeep Singh and Naib Subedar Doleshwar Subba.